I'm thinking of doing the D2R2 this summer and they've posted a new 115k route. Does anyone have any advice for someone begining training? My biggest question is this: can I do this ride on a road bike? I can only run 25c tires at the widest. Let me know, thanks!
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I'd say about 90% of people are on road bikes so you certainly can. Most bikes say 25 max but mine took 28's no problem. Have you tried to mount 28's? If you can only run 25's, buy some good ones. Continental grand prix 4 season are a solid choice. They have a stiffer sidewall and designed to take abuse. The only downside to using a road bike though is your body takes a beating. There was a lot of wash board type dirt trails last year and the constant shock made it uncomfortable to say the least. I'm going to use my mountain bike this year and I bet I'll have a faster time. Descending the steep dirt roads killed my time and I'll be able to descend much faster on my mountain bike. As for training, simply do a TON of hill climbing on your rides. Vermont 6 gap is a great ride to do in preparation. Get your gearing sorted too. I ran a triple with a mountain cassette. Even though I could climb in the higher gears, it was nice to step it down and slow peddle some of the climbs...
Last edited by guy2600; 03-07-11 at 06:59 PM.
That's good to know!
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How evil is the 100k? What should I expect if the most I've ever done is a not very hilly standard century?
There's about 6000ft of climbing over 64 miles so it's fairly evil but certainly doable. Here's my data from the 2010 route (I wasn't in the best shape for the event) http://connect.garmin.com/activity/45541672 . I'd go for it. You have plenty of time to get into climbing shape for the ride. The 100k was a pretty laid back event with a reasonable start time too (9am). Work climbing into your weekly routine and you'll have no problem doing it.
Thanks!
This is my first time doing the ride also. I did a killer century in Western Mass about four years ago. At that point I learned that I don't know how to climb! So, I'm hoping to hit up Blue Hills for some practice at some point. It's probably the closest thing in the Boston area. It's got a great access road for reps.
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I'm planning to do the metric century, and not sure how helpful it would be to switch out my 12/28 cassette w. short cage derailleur for a 12/32, which requires a medium cage rear derailleur. My crankset is 48/38. I know the ideal is to have a 1-1 ratio, but I don't want to go to the expense and hassle of putting on a triple for just one ride. Is going from 38/28 low ratio to 38/32 going to make a substantial difference, given that the ideal setup isn't feasible for me?
yes, likely it will.Originally Posted by mld123
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/
and, you might want to try the short cage first. i ran an 11-32 on a shimano short cage, 32/48 chainrings.+
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/deakins/lowgears.html
Last edited by bmike; 06-28-11 at 10:53 AM.
I've done the 112 mile version a couple of times and it's the most exquisite torture I've done on a bike in a long time. Just gorgeous scenery but lots of climbing. I did it on a road bike riding 32's. I ride a triple with a 30/28 low. I managed to ride all but about 100' of a dirt road "wall" that would be easier on a Mtb because of balance issues.
People did the ride on road bikes w/ 25's but get ready for more potential flats and more bike handling issues. It's not a ride, IMO, to do for time/speed. Unless you're in Cat 1/ pro shape it's better to just settle in, do the ride and enjoy the scenery.
For training I'd do as much long distance with climbing as possible.
So sorry I can't do it this year due to work. This is a great ride and you won't regret the effort. Enjoy it and let us know how it goes.
So, I just started practicing my handling on some hills in Plymouth that are on dirt roads...not sure how good I feel about riding technical terrain on the road bike. Now I'm thinking of switching to my mountain bike with slicks. What do people think? I've got Pasela 25's and they're great, but still, those washboards are tough.
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IchbinJay, If I were lucky enough to have the time off to do the D2R2 again this year I think I'd do it on my MTB just to do a comparison. I'd probably do it on a tire like a Continental Travel Contact Tires 26x1.75. After all, it's a ride that I'd be doing NOT for the speed just for the experience of it. I actually think that given the circumstances of the ride- so much climbing and so much dirt road riding the aerodynamic and weight advantages of a road bike are negligible. It's not the kind of ride where people are forming pace lines all over the place. It's mostly small groups of riders and individuals slogging along in idyllic New England countryside as they endlessly pedal up hill.
I've only done the longer route and it's one of those things where it's such a tough ride you'll always second guess some of your equipment choices. If you do it on a road bike with 32's you'll either end up wishing you rode it on 25's or that you rode it on a MTB. If you ride it on a MTB you'll wonder if you should have taken a road bike. Do it enough years in a row and I'm sure you finally figure out what works best for you.
This is reassuring to know. It's hard to get a sense of what the ride will be like ahead of time. Thanks for the advice.
For the best riding south of Boston:
South Shore Outdoors
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